02/24/2012 Newsletter

This week the children are becoming more comfortable with our class rules and routines. For example, they are practicing putting work away when finished, using inside voices, keeping hands to self, using walking feet, respecting each others work and workspace, and treating others with kindness.

Also, this week the children are much more aware of moving carefully in the classroom. You will see the children using materials like wood, glass and ceramic. These natural materials give the child experience in handling such items, which require controlled movement and special care.

The classroom is designed to appeal to the child’s sense of order. The materials are carefully placed in order on the shelves. The children are learning after using the material they put it back in the same place.

As well, the Montessori class uses as many real or concrete materials as possible. For example, many of the children have enjoyed flower arranging! They are so careful with pouring the water and carrying the vase. The flowers help bring the beauty of nature into our class.

This week we used the snowy weather and studied snow and snowflakes. The children looked at snow with the magnifying glass and watched as it melted and became water. Each child glued on photographs of real snowflakes to make a booklet. Thanks to the http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/ website. Many of the children used glue, and created a collage using winter pictures and animals.

We played a game called, “Snowman, Snowman Where’s Your Nose” and hid a carrot behind one child’s back.

The children enjoyed listening to stories by Eric Carle this week. I think we will continue to read some more of his stories next week. The most popular Eric Carle books were, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear,” and “The Grouchy Ladybug.”

Many of the children showed interest in the Sensorial area of our classroom. The sensorial materials help a child develop and refine his or her five senses. They children enjoyed lessons with the Pink Tower, the Knobbed Cylinders and the Colour Tablets.